Courthouse Security Brief

Protecting All Employees & Visitors

According to the National institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH), justice, professional and public establishments are at high-risk for workplace violence. They claim, "Employees in these high-risk establishments and occupations need to be aware of the risk for homicide and take steps to ensure a safe workplace." In an effort to make the facility safer for all county employees and visitors, the Sheriff's Office will secure all entrances to the building.

Each week, an average of 20 people are murdered and 18,000 are assaulted while working or on duty in the United States (NIOSH, 1996). A study by the U.S. Department of Justice found that 1 in every 6 violent crimes occurs at work

Safety Protocol

For the safety and well-being of every employee and visitor to the facility, every person who enters the building will be screened through the magnetometers and items x-rayed. This process is no different than that of passing through airport security and will not pose significant delays in entering Lake County Court and Administration facilities. However, in an effort to make the transition as smooth as possible, please review the list of items that will not be permitted into the facility. The Sheriff's Office realizes that the implementation of magnetometers and x-ray units may cause some delay in entering the building, but by being prepared for the change, you can help ease the process.

Prohibited Items

The prohibited items listed are not intended to be all-inclusive and is updated as necessary. To ensure everyone's security, the screener may determine that an item not on the prohibited items list is prohibited. In addition, the screener may also determine that an item is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through the security checkpoint.

The following items will not be allowed in the Lake County Court Complex and the Lake County Administrative Building.

Items Forbidden in LC Courthouse (PDF)

Articulos Prohibidos Dentro de la Corte  - Espanol (PDF)

Items Forbidden in Lake County Courthouse - ENGLISH - 1

Items Forbidden in Lake County Courthouse - ENGLISH - 2


Knives

  • Box Cutters
  • Carpenter Knives
  • Coupon Razor Cutters
  • Metal Kitchen Knives
  • Pen Knives
  • Pocketknives (Any Size)
  • Razor Blades/ Knives (Any Type)
  • Safety Razors
  • Switchblades or Any Spring Activated Knives

Sprays (Pressurized)

  • Any Pressurized Container that is Flammable (Any Size)
  • Glass, Hair, and Body Sprays
  • Mace Sprays
  • Pepper Sprays

 Glass Objects

  • Glass Bottle Drinks
  • Glass Containers Over 3 Ounces

Electronics

  • Cameras
  • Cell Phones are Prohibited from use in the Courtrooms unless expressly waived by the Trial Court
  • Video Tape Recorders

Locks (Any Size)

  • Keyed Type
  • Combination Type

Liquids

  • Any Size or Kind

Other Objects

  • Can Openers
  • Flashlights Larger Than 6"
  • Helmets/Hard Hats
  • Knitting Needles 
  • Laser Pointers
  • Letter Openers
  • Metal Fingernail Files
  • Nails/Screws
  • Plastic/Metal Comb Picks
  • Pliers
  • Portable Radios
  • Screwdrivers
  • Scissors
  • Wire Cutters
  • Wrenches

Weapons

  • Firearms/Ammunition*
  • Fireworks
  • Handcuff Keys*
  • Any Other Contraband Item

* The only exception to the above is for sworn police officers here on official duty. 

Please note the prohibited items listed are not intended to be all-inclusive and this list is updated, as necessary. To ensure everyone's security, the screener may determine that an item not on the prohibited items listed is prohibited. In addition, the screener may also determine that an item is dangerous and therefore may not be brought through security checkpoint. 

 For More Information

For more information please call the Lake County Sheriff's Office Court Security at 847-377-4911.